Kenny Betts

The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame will enshrine eight individuals at its 44th annual Induction Banquet on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. In addition to Kenny Betts, the other inductees are Jennifer Giebner Donato, Dr. Karl Englert Jr., Brianne Prince Hazelton, Trevor Hitchcock, Brian Hull, Kerry Kellogg and Dan Wolfe. Tickets are available for $50 at the CSHOF, 15 W. Third St., Jamestown, by calling Chairman Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991 or online at www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org.

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Chautauqua County has a long and storied history of outstanding wrestling. The Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame has recognized the importance of wrestling in this county by previously inducting Joe Annarella, Jim Beichner, Alex Conti, Bill Davenport, Marty Nichols, Flash Olson, Carlene Sluberski and Walt Thurnau.

Joining that illustrious group is the most successful high school wrestler in county history, Kenny Betts.

Betts won two New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships, was runnerup two more times, and at the time of his graduation held the state record for career wins and was second in state history for career pins.

Born in 1990, Betts began wrestling at the age of 4. He came under the tutelage of coach Alex Conti as a seventh-grader at Fredonia Central. Competing in the 96-pound weight class at the varsity level, he recorded a 31-10 record with 15 pins.

As an eighth-grader, Betts wrestled at 103 pounds, compiling a 40-6 record with 29 pins. He qualified for the state tournament and scored a runnerup podium finish in the first of his five consecutive appearances at the state tourney.

Betts moved up to the 119-pound class as a freshman, going 43-9 with 26 pins before bowing out at the state finals.

He won his first state title in 2007. The sophomore went 48-6 with 39 pins while capturing the top prize.

Betts had another big year as a junior for the Fredonia Hillbillies. Wrestling at 145 pounds, he compiled a 50-3 ledger, including 38 pins, before being decisioned in the state’s final match to earn his second runnerup podium finish.

Betts’ senior year was a monster. He established a 57-3 record, pinned 39 opponents and captured the 2009 state championship in the 152-pound class.

He was named an All-American honorable mention following his senior season. Betts’ overall high school record is remarkable. He won 269 matches while losing just 34. Of his 269 wins, 186 were by pins. His 269 wins were a New York state record, while his 186 pins were second-best in state history at the time.

He was a Section VI champion every year from eighth grade to 12th. Of the five times he qualified for the state tournament, he won twice and finished second two other times.

Betts not only excelled on the mats for the Hillbillies, he was also an outstanding football player and pole vaulter. As a 5-foot-7 nose tackle, he was Section VI Class B South Defensive Player of the Year and third-team all-state in 2008. He also was a three-time Section VI qualifier in the pole vault.

Betts was inducted into the Western New York Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017.

He is a New York state corrections officer, serves as a volunteer coach with the Wolfpack Wrestling Club and resides in Fredonia with his wife and two children.